Here’s what you need to know about caring for your skin in your 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Youthful skin is naturally beautiful. At this age, collagen and sebum production are at their peak, giving you taut and luminous skin. However, a busy social life, late nights and frequent partying can take their toll. How you care for your complexion in your 20s will greatly impact your ageing trajectory, and any skin sins you commit now will certainly come back to haunt you in your 30s and 40s!
1. Gentle face wash
Cellular renewal tends to slow down from your mid-20s, so try a foaming cleanser with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) to boost skin renewal. We love Hada Labo AHA/BHA Foaming Wash ($13.50), which gently lifts off dead skin cells, purifies pores and reduces the appearance of blackheads.
2. Acne SOS
If you suffer from adult acne, resist the urge to pick at pimples as this could leave a scar. Instead, apply a spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. We also recommend CNP Laboratory Anti-pore Black Head Clear Kit ($14.10 for three sets). The two-step kit is formulated with hypoallergenic polyhydroxy acids, witch hazel water and zinc PCA to help decongest clogged pores and blackheads around the nose.
3. Sebum control Young skin tends to produce more sebum.
Restore it to optimal balance with Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask ($29). This 10-minute skin saver removes dirt, tames shine, and is said to regulate sebum production.
4. Long-wearing SPF
Sun damage is your No. 1 enemy, contributing to dull skin, pigmentation, wrinkles and premature ageing. Even if you apply sunscreen religiously every morning, excessive sweat and sebum from an active lifestyle may cause it to fade. So never leave home without Sunplay Skin Aqua Sarafit Fragrance Free UV Mist ($9.90), a long-wearing triple action sunscreen that supposedly absorbs, reflects and scatters ultraviolet rays. The mist formula also allows for fuss-free application on the go. You can even use it over makeup.
5. Water-based hydration
The sooner you start on anti-ageing skincare, the better. That said, at this early stage, it’s best to avoid rich products or harsh ingredients such as retinol, as this may cause breakouts. Instead, opt for lightweight lotions formulated with hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture. Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion ($22.90), has hyaluronic acid molecules in four sizes to infuse skin at different layers for intense hydration.
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Once you hit the big three-O, collagen, elastin and hyaluronic levels start to decline. Cellular renewal also slows down, and you begin to see duller skin, more fine lines and some sagging. The key is to reduce daytime damage and accelerate overnight repair.
1. Multi-tasking concentrate
After decades of daily sun damage and stress, fine lines, sun spots and freckles will begin to surface. Top up your regular moisturiser with a high-performance multi-tasking concentrate. Izu Hydrating Gel II ($247), is said to reduce hyperpigmentation, boost elastin production, even out skin tone, and retexturise skin.
2. Brightening peel
Does your skin seem duller than before? This is because cellular turnover slows down dramatically in your 30s. CNP Laboratory Invisible Peeling Booster ($48.90), promises to help rev up the process. Formulated with hypoallergenic polyhydroxy acids, this mild daily peel sloughs off dead skin cells without damaging healthy cells, unveiling softer, smoother and more luminous skin.
3. Mask and glow
Skin shows signs of fatigue more readily at this stage, and you may start to notice expression lines. Give skin a boost with an express mask such as Innisfree Bamboo Capsule Recipe Pack ($4). Rich in silica and antioxidants, bamboo extract is said to neutralise free radicals, prevent oxidative damage and increase collagen production, promising brighter skin in 10 minutes.
4. Antioxidant infusion
You’ll notice that skin doesn’t bounce back as quickly or easily as it did in your 20s, so support it with an antioxidant-enriched formula such as Izu Rejuvenating Cream ($124). This super hydrator promises to fortify skin’s moisture barrier, and restore it with vitamins A and E.
5. Night recovery cream
Your skin heals best when it is at rest, so step up your routine with a cream specifically formulated for overnight rejuvenation. Sensuouz by Shannz Night Repair Cream ($97), reportedly accelerates cellular renewal, as well as collagen and elastin production, to smooth fine lines and give skin a subtle “lift”.
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Gravity is your greatest enemy, as you begin to notice less elasticity and firmness, as well as sunken, slackening and sagging skin. Dehydration can also exacerbate fine lines into deeper grooves. Here’s what you need to help your skin.
1. Skin-energising facial
If your skin is chronically fatigued, revive it with cutting-edge technology. SK-II Boutique Spa Senze Renewal Proionic Facial ($480 for 85 minutes) uses an advanced radio frequency machine to reportedly improve lymphatic drainage, lift sagging skin and recontour your face. The heat energy also enhances the penetration of SK-II’s signature products, while the soporific scalp and shoulder massages relax and restore you sublimely.
2. Scar lightener
Your natural wound repair process also slows down at this stage. Remescar Silicone Scar Stick ($30) promises to accelerate the healing of acne scars, stretch marks, bug bites and even burns. It protects delicate skin, infusing it with moisture for speedy recovery, while supposedly preventing skin thickening around the wound to reduce the appearance of the scar.
3. Spider veins treatment
As you age, your veins lose elasticity, and the valves weaken, allowing blood to flow backwards and pool in your veins. This results in spider veins. Remescar Spider Veins ($40), reportedly creates a protective shield over the affected area, while accelerating the healing process, repairing weak vein tissues, and reducing any discoloration to minimise the appearance of spider veins.
4. Anti-ageing booster
If you find that serums are no longer intensive enough for your skin, trade up. Many ampoules offer higher concentrations of potent ingredients in smaller molecule sizes for greater efficacy. CNP Laboratory Propolis Energy Ampule ($40.90), is enriched with propolis from the Amazon bee to supposedly give noticeable tightening, firming and lifting results.
5. Retinol fix
A powerful anti-ageing ingredient, retinol is said to be able to boost collagen and elastin production for a visible lifting effect. Try Hada Labo Retinol Anti-aging + 3D Lifting Lotion ($25.90), which is formulated with pharmaceutical-grade retinol, as well as hydrolysed collagen and hyaluronic acid to fight premature ageing.
This article was originally published in the August 2016 issue of Simply Her magazine.